Government to set up four law schools

New Delhi: The government would be establishing four law schools of excellence in four regions of the country, Union minister for law and justice Veerappa Moily told media persons on Thursday.

“This would be part of roadmap for legal education reforms. Instead of the present islands of excellence in legal field, we require an ocean of excellence which would need capacity building, and upgrading faculties. There is no reason why the Information Technology success story can’t be emulated in legal field,” Moily added.

Moily also said that a decision on entry of foreign legal firms in India will be taken shortly.

Discussions with various stakeholders are on, the government is also awaiting the final decision of Bombay high court where a case is pending on the entry of foreign legal firms in India. He refused to be drawn in the controversy surrounding PD Dinakaran chief justice of Karnataka high court who is facing inquiry into allegations of illegally amassing huge tracts of land. “The government would be introducing the Judge’s accountability or enquiry bill in the next session of the parliament,” he added.

Moily expressed hope that the concept of Gram Nayaylaya (village courts) which became operational from 2 October 2009 would help in drastically reducing the backlog of cases. The government envisions to establish 5000 Gram Nyayalayas in the country.

Asked about the commercial courts to be set up at respective high courts, he said that the government is holding discussions with different ministries and a bill would be introduced in the parliament in this regard.